Reports have confirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has detained the immediate past governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngillari, for his alleged role in the distribution of N450 million for the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr. Ngillari is being detained at the Gombe zonal office of the EFCC.
His detention followed information provided by a former Nigerian ambassafor to the U.S., Hassan Adamu, who told the EFCC that when the chairman of PDP in Adamawa state, Joel Madaki, and himself took custody of the money from Fidelity Bank, it was taken to the government House in bullion vans by officials of the bank.
Mr. Adamu also told investigators that the chief of staff to Mr. Ngilari, Alhaji Hamman, and the accountant to the government house, Aisha Waziri, counted the money and confirmed the figure.
“The duo became custodians of the fund based on the directive of their boss, the governor,” he said.
Mr. Adamu also said he left after the government officials took custody of the fund and did not know how the money was shared, and did not personally benefit from it.
An official of the EFCC informed PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Ngilari denied authorizing his former aides to take custody of the fund.
He also said “a detention order had been signed and most likely, he would spend the night in EFCC custody”.
A team of investigators handling the campaign slush fund grilled the former ambassador for several hours after he reported to the Commission’s office at about 9.30 am on Thursday.
